Kumble & Co. not to contest KSCA elections

Anil Kumble, Javagal Srinath and their group have decided not to contest as office-bearers of the Karnataka State Cricket Association after their three-year term finishes at the end of November, 2013.

Kumble, a former India cricketer and the country's most successful bowler, said they achieved in their term what they had set out to do and the criticisms did not have any role in them deciding not to contest again.

"We have done our work for the past three years and have shown how work can be done in three years. The decision not to contest again is not because people have been critical," Kumble clarified.

Kumble said he would continue to be a part of the KSCA but he will not contest elections again as he only wanted to contribute to grass-root cricket.

"We were clear when we came in that we would be here for only one term. Our intention was to develop the game and we've done that as you can see in the report (a self-assessment report of their 3-year term was was handed out to the press)"

Javagal Srinath, the vice-preident of the KSCA currently, added that a change was needed. "This is like a wheel. Someone will spin it for 3 years or 5 years, then someone else will."

Kumble made a point at this juncture that it "was important that same person does not keep spinning the wheel for 20 years"

He also mentioned that they will keep contributing to the development of cricket in the state.

"We are still among the 2000 members of the association. We do not need a position to do what we want to do. We will still be monitoring everything closely" said Kumble. The same point was stressed by Rahul Dravid (who is a member of the managing committee of the KSCA) as well.

"I will still be ready to talk to any kid or anyone who wants to talk to me about a tournament or anything," he said.

Kumble added that it is up to the people coming in to make use of their services. "We are available but people coming in should want us too," said the former Indian spinner.

When asked if the decision to not contest was taken due to the apparent unhappiness of certain club members, Kumble said "If a few members are not happy with us, we accept that. We will take it in our stride."

"It has been a privilege to contribute to KSCA. It is not my fiefdom or someone else's. All are welcome to contribute," Kumble said.

When asked further if the decision had anything to do with rumors surrounding Kumble joining active politics, he said "It is something I read only in the papers as well. I do not want to discuss that here. Please do not attach any such motive to this."

"We came here with optimism. We are optimistic the next committee, whoever they are, will take things forward," Srinath said.

Rahu Dravid gave a pat on the back for his fellow mates. "I know I have stayed in the background a lot but Anil and Sri have worked very hard, sacrificed probably the best years of their life. It is now time for someone else to carry it forward," he said.